A city board on Thursday ordered the owner of Price Florist on Oak Ridge Turnpike to demolish the building within 60 days.
A city board on Thursday ordered the owner of the former Price Florist building on Oak Ridge Turnpike to demolish it within 60 days.
The Oak Ridge Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals had considered whether to issue a demolition or repair order for the once-thriving store at three other meetings this year, but members had given property owner Patricia Warren of Crossville several extensions to allow her time to come back with a sales contract, repair plan, or demolition permit. On Thursday, they said she had run out of time.
“I think we’ve bent over backwards to accommodate you and your property,” board member Philip Nipper said before the 6-0 vote in favor of demolition.
Warren has cleaned up the property and had hoped to sell the 0.35-acre site. She has said she had three potential buyers. But on Thursday, she said it hasn’t sold yet.
Warren said she has hired contractor Laurel Patrick to determine whether it can be repaired or demolished. If it can be repaired, Patrick will submit a detailed plan and should have an expected construction start date by Monday, Warren said.
If it isn’t worth repairing, a demolition permit will be sought, Warren said.
Warren sold the Price Florist business about four years ago but still owned the property. Earlier this year, she told board members she wasn’t aware of the poor property conditions.
In June, the board declared the building a nuisance and unfit for human occupation or use.
Price Florist was started by the Price family in the early 1950s, and Warren and her ex-husband bought it in the late 1970s.
Earlier this year, the city staff said the now-unused building was in severe disrepair, citing fire code violations, a leaking roof, electrical hazards, plumbing issues, and broken concrete floors, among other things.
Ellen Smith says
Sad to see this happen to what used to be a fine business.
Mike Mahathy says
Why do this to florist building and leave falling down apartment buildings?
Angi Agle says
Probably because the lady who owns the Price Florist property isn’t an attorney, who’ll keep stuff tied up until he’s dead and gone.
Joshua Hamilton says
Good point, my parents lived in what is now Applewood Apartments back in the 80s, and said they should have been condemned then.
Philip W Nipper says
The Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals has addressed code violations with the suspect apartments and has issued “unfit” and demolition orders on some of the buildings. The cases are currently in the legal system. Minutes to the board meetings are available at the city’s web site under “Boards and Commissions”. I encourage you and all interested citizens to view them.
johnhuotari says
Adding to Philip’s comment, the owner of Price Florist has the right to appeal the board’s order, just as the owner of Applewood Apartments did.